The Idol of Personal Peace and Affluence

Luke 18

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Let the Children Come to Me

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."


My intention over my next several posts is to reflect a little deeper on "The orphan crisis: what can we do to help?" categories that my sister in Christ Sabrina let me use from her blog. These categories include: Learn, Pray, Adopt, Advocate, and Support.

Before I move forward with expanding on the "Learn" category, I believe it is important to establish a foundation for understanding what contributes to the Orphan crisis, and many other crises in the world.

Please make time to watch these video clips from Francis Schaeffer's "How Should We Then Live" series. As you watch and listen to the points made, try to apply them to how the world system, and dare I say many professing Christians, deal with orphan care...


PART 1:


PART 2:


PART 3:



I confess that what the late Francis Schaeffer describes in these videos is still a huge idol that my sinful flesh is drawn to. This is why what Stephanie and I are looking to do with regard to this adoption is not anything to do with how "noble" we are; it has everything to do with the Grace and Mercy bestowed upon us by the Triune God!

Abba! Father! Thank You for Your Sanctifying Grace and Mercy!

Nothing happens by chance

I am excited to say that so far our Home Study process has proceeded smoothly and quickly, and we haven't hit any bumps in collecting our paperwork.  We are so thankful for the Home Study Agency we are using.  The customer service has been excellent since the very first phone call, and our social worker is wonderful as well.  She is so kind, helpful, and prompt at returning phone calls/emails.  We are hoping for our home visit to be completed the last week of May.  PRAISE GOD!

A primary focus of prayer has been centered around who will care for our three boys during our travel time to the country where Kathleen is located.  We are hopeful that God is revealing his answer.  Several months ago, I met a new face as I was serving in our church nursery.  At that time, she shared that she worked as a nanny.  Her passion to care for children was very evident.  At the beginning of this year, I approached her about overseeing the children in our Home Fellowship group while we have Bible study.  She agreed, and has done a wonderful job.  Her service is such a blessing.  Anyway, yesterday I served in the church nursery with her again.  I shared our story about how God has called us to adopt Kathleen.  I also expressed our concern about what to do with our boys while we travel.  I almost burst into tears when she mentioned that she would be willing to help.  We are hoping to meet with her within the next couple of weeks to discuss a possible plan in more detail.  Our serving in the church nursery together, and meeting so many months ago wasn't because we just so happened to be scheduled on the same day.  I'm convinced that wasn't so.  It's amazing how God is at work in our lives when we're not even aware of it.

I'll close with this verse.  My oldest son learned this verse as a song, and it frequently crosses my thoughts as I read such amazing stories of sacrifice and rescue for these precious children through Reece's Rainbow.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

It's Friday! Come Awake!

We all carry various burdens and struggles that sometimes prevent us from living the life God intended. Christ's sacrifice, though, reminds us that he defeated every last thing that might encumber His people. Thus, the charge to us all is to come awake and be one with Christ again. Music by Matt Maher.





Matthew 11:20-30 (my emphasis added)

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

 ²⁰ Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. ²¹ "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ²³And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

 ²⁵ At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Moving Forward

Tomorrow, Corey and I have our first appointment with the caseworker/social worker overseeing our home study.  After delivering our application and contract last week, the office manager gave me the required home study checklist and autobiography outline.  I remember looking at the checklist and feeling a little overwhelmed.  I called Corey and asked him if he was ready to put his roller skates on because we had a lot of work to do.  We are hoping to expedite our end of things as quickly as possible.  We have a new 9pm - 1am shift at our home.  I guess this is our information gathering, form filing, autobiography writing shift.  Ha Ha!  I love spending this time with my husband.  My sense of feeling overwhelmed has peeked, and I am now able to focus more on what we need to accomplish to get to Kathleen as quickly as possible.  She is worth it.  I'm thinking of how our lives have changed already.  I can't wrap my mind around the thought of actually seeing her, holding her, playing with her, telling her that she is worthy, and most importantly telling her about our Lord and Savior.

Thank you so much to all the people who have responded to us.  Whether it's through a comment on this blog, email, phone, or in person, we are blessed beyond words to know that so many people are already praying for Kathleen, the adoption process, our family, etc.. Also, thank you to those who have contributed to our Adoption fund to help bring her home.  It is very humbling.

 

Timeline (Igniter Media)

Throughout the course of his public ministry, Jesus knew both the adoration and desertion of the crowds. Today, just as 2,000 years ago, the gospel asks a question that demands an answer: Will we follow? This video illustrates this truth through the dynamic lens of a 21st-century social network.

Do You Suffer From Depraved Indifference?

Praise the Lord for His Sanctifying Grace which allows us to repent of this behavior in our pursuit of Holiness, for His Kingdom! Amen!